The Indiana Pacers travel to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night in a matchup heavily influenced by Indiana's severe injury situation and Memphis's surprising early-season success. The Grizzlies enter as 7.5-point home favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook with an over/under of 229.5 points, and tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at FedExForum.
Memphis has attracted massive betting action, with 99% of the handle and 80% of bets backing the Grizzlies against the spread, while the under on the total points has also drawn significant support. The Pacers have lost five consecutive games overall and five straight in Memphis, with their last victory there dating back to April 11, 2021.
Pacers' Roster Depleted
Indiana's roster crisis was on full display Monday when only six players were available for a 108-104 home loss to Atlanta — representing about 93% of the team's payroll sidelined. All six players logged 34-plus minutes and scored in double figures, including rookie guard Braden Smith, who posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 assists in 42 minutes. It marked the first time in 22 years the Pacers used so few players in a game, and the earliest in a season since the 1948 Lakers used five players in their third game.
Key absences for Wednesday include star guard Tyrese Haliburton, along with TJ McConnell, Ben Sheppard, and Johnny Furphy. Forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (bruised knee), forward Obi Toppin, and center Ivica Zubac are listed as questionable. Zubac has played only three games this season and has not appeared since October 25. Pascal Siakam was rested in the second game of a back-to-back on Monday, a decision that drew criticism given the team's depleted state.
Grizzlies' Unexpected Rise
Memphis sits near the top of the Western Conference at 6-1, defying a preseason win total of just 28.5. The turnaround has been fueled by rookie forward Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick, who averages 17.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. Boozer recorded an 18-point, 12-rebound, 12-assist triple-double on October 29 in Portland, becoming the youngest front-court player in NBA history to achieve the feat. He is the +200 favorite for Rookie of the Year.
Another surprise is 29-year-old guard Ty Jerome, who is averaging a stunning 28.2 points per game on 50.4% shooting — far above his career norms. Jerome scored a career-high 40 points in Monday's 135-134 overtime loss to New Orleans, Memphis's first defeat of the season. The Grizzlies will be without reserve guard Scotty Pippen Jr., while backup center Quentin Post is questionable.
Betting Outlook
Projection models favor a 121-118 Memphis victory. Indiana's defense has allowed 115.8 points per game, and Zubac's potential return could help on that end. However, the Pacers may also be looking ahead to a Saturday game against Denver in Mexico City.
